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THIS WEEK'S NEWS
Special session workbook to be available next week
Bishop Saenz offers back-to-school video
Atchison church engages multiple generations with summer program
Inflation, gas prices complicating Methodist ministries nationwide
Conferences taking action on gun violence
JURISDICTIONAL CONFERENCE
Location set for jurisdictional conference, scheduled for Nov. 2-5
CLERGY EXCELLENCE
Great Plains represented at Black Clergywomen meeting
Recipients named for Pass the Torch Scholarships
Online session of Facing the Future set for Nov. 16
A few spots still remain for Aug. 29-31 spiritual formation retreat
Clergy retreat scheduled, Sept. 25-27, puts you in mindset for year
EQUIPPING DISCIPLES
Dotson Institute to have inaugural event next week
We are all called to be servants in Jesus’ kingdom
Grants available to help strengthen the ethnic local church
How do you #BeUMC? Tell us in your own video
MERCY & JUSTICE
Haitian church leader shares highs, lows of country in visit to Kansas
Churches, individuals seeking to do justice can 'Partner Up'
DISASTER RESPONSE
NAMI conference scheduled for Aug. 26-27
Kentucky churches care for neighbors hit by floods
ADMINISTRATION
Nebraska, Kansas foundations host free webinar on budgeting, staffing
RESOURCES
‘Psalms for Black Lives,’ conceived after high-profile killings, released
ACROSS THE CONNECTION
‘Lot of grief work’ to be done after 4 killed in northeast Nebraska town
Emporia church offers ‘Garden of Grace’
In other news
Newsletters
Classifieds
Special session workbook
to be available next week
The workbook with legislation pertaining to disaffiliations, a change in governance for Great Plains Camps Inc. and the proposed 2023 Great Plains Conference budget will be available for download at some point next week.
An email will be sent to all pastors and lay members to annual conference, and the link also will be available on the conference website — www.greatplainsumc.org — once the workbook has published.
There will be no printing services available for this special session’s workbook, so please work with your local church to have it printed for you if you would like to have a physical copy.
The deadline to register is Friday, Aug. 26. It is critical that all voting members of the annual conference register before or by the deadline because our voting will be online, and time is needed to properly prepare that system.
The special called session of the annual conference will be a Zoom webinar Saturday. Sept. 10, 2022, and starts promptly at 9:30 a.m. CT/8:30 a.m. MT.
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Bishop Saenz offers
back-to-school video
It’s back-to-school time throughout the Great Plains, and Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr. has words of encouragement for students, teachers and school personnel.
“Studying and learning are our ways to love God with our minds,” the bishop says.
Bishop Saenz also talks to those without children in school on how they can help encourage students and teachers.
The 2-minute, 45-second video can be used by churches as part of their worship services or on social media.
Watch and download here.
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Atchison church engages multiple
generations with summer program
A multigenerational summer pilot program at Atchison UMC might continue, the Rev. Cyd Stein says.
The program, called Engage, brings families together for food and activities, all based on a monthly theme.
“They’ve had so much fun,” Stein said of her church members. “That’s the scripture, right, to have a childlike faith? This models that in so many ways.”
Read more and see a photo gallery.
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Inflation, gas prices complicating
Methodist ministries nationwide
High gas prices and inflation are giving rural pastors more challenges in the wake of COVID-19. Donations are down and their paychecks don’t stretch as far as they used to.
Read more from United Methodist News Service.
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Conferences taking
action on gun violence
Even as United Methodist conferences deal with mounting church exits and disagreements over LGBTQ inclusion, they are bearing a shared witness on gun violence and urging actions beyond thoughts and prayers.
Read more from UM News Service.
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Jurisdictional Conference
Location set for jurisdictional conference, scheduled for Nov. 2-5
The location has been announced for the South Central Jurisdictional Conference, Nov. 2-5, at First Methodist Houston West.
Every four years, the United Methodist Church meets in five geographical areas, or Jurisdictions to elect new bishops. That is, until 2020 when the pandemic delayed the Jurisdictional Conferences. The Council of Bishops recently set the meeting date for these elections for early November.
Along with 11 other conferences, the Great Plains Conference is a part of the South Central Jurisdiction, where some 250 delegates will elect three bishops.
Read more from the Texas Conference.
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Clergy Excellence
Great Plains represented at
Black Clergywomen meeting
The Great Plains Conference was represented by four pastors at the Black Clergywomen of the United Methodist Church’s annual meeting in Schaumburg, Illinois, last week.
Attending were Rev. Kathy Williams, left, leadership development coordinator; Rev. Alice Shomari, Atwood UMC; Rev. Cheryl Jefferson Bell, Church of the Resurrection; and Rev. Portia Cavitt, Omaha Clair Memorial UMC.
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Recipients named for
Pass the Torch Scholarships
Members of the Pass the Torch Committee are pleased to announce the recipients of the Pass the Torch Scholarship for the 2022-23 academic year. This year’s recipients are Matthew Borland, Tiffani Brewer, Debra Copple, Jeff Graber, Anny Kalingwishi Kapundu, Charles Muthiani Kitua, Chris Nord, Victor Peterson, Abraham Ruffcorn, and John Wesley Young.
The Pass the Torch Scholarship is a ministry of the retired clergy, spouses, and surviving spouses of the Great Plains Conference who are committed to significantly increasing the funds available to educate quality seminary students to lead the church. Since the scholarship’s founding, more than $104,000 has been awarded to support women and men called by God who are pursuing their seminary education.
The members of the committee are grateful for the generous individuals and families who help make the scholarships possible through estate, annual, and memorial gifts. The Kansas Methodist Foundation is honored to partner with the Pass the Torch committee through caring for the scholarship fund. If you are interested in learning more about how you can make a difference through the Pass the Torch scholarship, contact Tyler Curtis, Chief Development Officer for the Kansas Methodist Foundation, at Tyler@KansasMethodistFoundation.org or visit the KMF scholarship webpage.
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Online session of Facing
the Future set for Nov. 16
The virtual session Facing the Future, presented by the General Committee on Religion & Race, will be from noon to 6 p.m. CT Wednesday, Nov. 16.
Facing the Future is the premier conference for anyone engaged with or discerning cross-racial/cross-cultural/multicultural ministry. You will learn skills to support the CRCC ministry context, personal self-care, and professional development. You will experience meaningful worship and workshops from sought-after leaders and professionals.
More information and registration here.
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A few spots still remain for
Aug. 29-31 spiritual formation retreat
Clergy of the Great Plains Conference, you are invited to take some time away from the routines and challenges of ministry and be attentive to your relationship with God. We hope you will consider attending Roots for Your Soul, a spiritual formation retreat planned just for you. The only cost to you is $50 to reserve your spot for this two-night, three-day retreat. Contact hours for Continuing Education Units are available. Scholarships are available upon request. See the registration form for details.
Summer 2022: Aug. 29-31, St. Benedict’s Center, Schuyler, Nebraska
Presenter: Rev. Dr. Charlotte Abram. Theme: Sabbath as Soul Food. Click here to register for the Summer 2022 retreat by Aug. 15 (three spots remain).
Fall 2022: Oct. 24-26, Saint Benedict’s Center, Schuyler, Nebraska
Presenter: Seanne Emerton, LMFT, LIMHP, LPC Theme: Restore. Rest. Recharge. Click here to register for the Fall 2022 retreat by Oct. 10.
Read bios of Roots for Your Soul presenters here.
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Clergy retreat scheduled, Sept. 25-27,
puts you in mindset for year ahead
Would you benefit from having a two-day, two-night guided retreat to give you an opportunity to connect with others through worship together, take an honest look at how you’re doing, and also learn about creating a Rule of Life and Learning Plan for focusing your plan for growth?
For Your Life: Giving Your Soul Time and Means to Grow is a retreat for clergy, led by Rev. Ashlee Alley Crawford and Rev. Dr. Shelly Petz, to help you create space to work on a plan for learning and formation for the year ahead. It includes time for honest reflection, introduces you to a template for growth in the year ahead, and helps you identify next steps in your individual development. You will have time to worship, space to spend time in solo reflection, and/or connection with others. The retreat will be held at Heartland Spirituality Center in Great Bend, Kansas, with a check-in at 9 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 25 with rest for your time away. We will wrap up by 3 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 27.
The cost to participate is $50 and includes two nights of lodging, meals and a retreat notebook. Scholarships are available upon request. The deadline for registering is Thursday, Sept. 8.
To register and for more information, check out the website, www.greatplainsumc.org/foryourlife or email Ashlee Alley Crawford at aalleycrawford@greatplainsumc.org. (If this time doesn’t work for you, but you’re interested in creating this space, you can register for a self-directed retreat! Learn more here.)
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Equipping Disciples
Dotson Institute to have
inaugural event next week
The inaugural Junius B. Dotson Institute for Music and Worship in the Black Church & Beyond will take place Aug. 18-20 in Atlanta.
Dr. Cynthia Wilson, the founder and executive director, says the JBD Institute is a one-of-a-kind global institute that provides training in the sacred music of African church traditions and beyond for musicians and worship leaders.
The Institute has a four-fold purpose with its initial efforts focused on professional development for practitioners who have experienced limited or no formal training in the areas of sacred music and worship unique to the Black Church. In the spirit of the former Methodist Circuit Riders, the Institute will be itinerant holding events and trainings around the country to reach churches, musicians, and choral leaders.
The Inaugural events will feature a plethora of seminars, special sessions and a Concert featuring the JBD Institute Choir/Ensemble, Gospel Legend Richard Smallwood and Wilson. Faculty for the institute include Ronda Kingwood, Wichita Heart of Christ UMC; and Wilson, a retired deacon from the Great Plains Conference.
The institute is continuing the legacy for Rev. Junius B. Dotson, a former pastor of Wichita Saint Mark UMC and CEO of Discipleship Ministries, who died of pancreatic cancer in February 2021 at age 55.
Get more information and register here.
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We are all called to be
servants in Jesus’ kingdom
George Houle, Great Plains director of men’s ministry, said he didn’t hear the song “Jesus Loves Me” until he was in his 40s, after being raised Catholic.
“I realized that even at those times when I strayed from God, I still experienced Jesus’ love pulling me back into a deeper relationship,” he writes in the latest Lay Servant Ministries blog. “Jesus always hung in there with me.”
Read more here.
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Grants available to help
strengthen the ethnic local church
Discipleship Ministries is offering the Racial Ethnic Local Church Concerns (RELCC) Grant, which provides funding to support the ethnic local church through leadership training, small groups, worship, stewardship, and spiritual formation as it engages in developing disciple-making systems inside the church walls and in the community.
Applications are due Sept. 10.
Two grants per jurisdiction, of up to $10,000 each, are available. Please click the link below to see eligibility criteria and apply.
Priority will be given to new programs/ministries that move churches to places where disciples are formed, grow, and make new disciples of Jesus Christ who will transform the world.
Apply here.
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How do you #BeUMC?
Tell us in your own video
#BeUMC honors the core values that connect the people of The United Methodist Church. No matter the challenges we face, God is with us, and we continue to have opportunities to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world!
The campaign calls us to embrace our Wesleyan heritage and envision a promising future. Every day offers a chance to live into our mission and to strive to #BeUMC — to be the church our communities so desperately need. This grassroots effort, built upon powerful stories of congregations and people living their faith, celebrates what draws us to The United Methodist Church and what we aspire to be.
The Great Plains Conference has a new webpage, www.greatplainsumc.org/beumc, to celebrate how we are living out our promise to be the church.
It's easy to send us your video!
- Go to https://greatplainsumc.wetransfer.com.
- Click on the "agreement" window at the left, which will reveal a window for you to complete your upload.
- Type in your email address and a title (your name and city would be preferred). You can add a message if you like.
- Click the "+" sign, and that will allow you to upload your video from your computer, phone or tablet.
- Then, as you come across disciples in action involving your church, share their stories on social media by using the #BeUMC hashtag.
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Mercy & Justice
Haitian church leader shares highs,
lows of country in visit to Kansas
In a two-day visit to Kansas last week, the Rev. Gélin Rosamour told of how churches in his home country of Haiti are trying to serve their communities, despite unrest after a presidential assassination last year.
Read more here.
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Churches, individuals seeking
to do justice can 'Partner Up'
Looking for new ways to share God’s love this fall? Maybe now is the time to consider or expand justice work at your church.
Imagine this: your mission team, your church council, or another small group prayerfully considers the passions of your congregation. With your church context in mind, together you research and select a partner (an organization, coalition, or network) who can provide opportunities for action. You create a plan for how to invite your entire church to participate as opportunities arise to attend webinars and learning events, to call and email legislators, or to attend lobby days or rallies. You find ways to track your congregation’s participation along the way, so you can build momentum and celebrate each faithful step you take to answer God’s call to make a difference together.
Here is a list of partners your church or your network might want to connect with. Look up their websites, check out their social media to see what they have been up to lately, and open yourself up to what amazing work of justice the Holy Spirit might have in mind for you.
And don’t forget, you can apply for social justice seed money grants through the Conference as you work to build ministries to transform the world! Click here to apply: https://gp-reg.brtapp.com/SocialJusticeSeedMoneyGrantApplication
--Rev. Sarah Marsh, Mercy and Justice Coordinator
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Disaster Response
NAMI conference
scheduled for Aug. 26-27
The Pathways to Hope conference, part of NAMI FaithNet, is a chance for communities to build their own grassroots movement to help engage faith communities, mental health providers, NAMI members, and other community partners in building sustainable coalitions in support of people living with mental health conditions.
The conference will be held Aug. 26-27, hosted by 17 national state organizations and national affiliates across the country. Here is the agenda for the Kansas conference.
Attendees will enjoy a mix of nationally produced plenary sessions in the mornings and locally developed workshops in the afternoons. Attendees can register to view the nationally produced plenary sessions or attend in-person, virtual or hybrid events with one of the participating affiliates.
This conference is designed to bring people together from across communities to reduce the stigma of mental illness; activate and engage communities at the grassroots level to provide support for individuals impacted by mental health issues; and help them find local resources for better mental health care.
Conference workshops are organized around five tracks: Mental Health, Peer Support, Therapy & Counseling, Faith & Community and Youth. Good mental health means supporting the physical, mental, spiritual and relational aspects of a person’s life.
There are two ways to register: through NAMI Kansas or by viewing only the morning sessions through NAMI National.
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Kentucky churches care
for neighbors hit by floods
After record flooding in Eastern Kentucky, United Methodist volunteers are serving as God’s "hands and feet." Bishop Leonard Fairley, episcopal leader of the Kentucky Conference, visited portions of the flood-damaged area to offer prayers and thank people for their help.
Read more from UM News Service.
The Rev. Hollie Tapley, Great Plains disaster response coordinator, said there have been no requests for UMCOR cleaning kits for Kentucky.
Click here to donate to UMCOR.
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Administration
Nebraska, Kansas foundations host
free webinar on budgeting, staffing
From 10-11:30 a.m., Thursday, Aug. 25, join Lovett Weems and Ann Michel of the Lewis Center for Church Leadership of Wesley Theological Seminary as they present “Budgeting and Staffing for the New Year.” During the webinar, they will share staffing benchmarks, indicators you are overstaffed, and how to plan your budget as we come out of the pandemic with new ministry areas.
Dr. Lovett H. Weems Jr. is a distinguished professor of church leadership at Wesley Theological Seminary and senior consultant to Wesley’s Lewis Center for Church Leadership. Dr. Ann A. Michel has served on the staff of the Lewis Center for Church Leadership since 2005. She teaches at Wesley Theological Seminary in the areas of stewardship and leadership. They are authors of a new book, “Generosity, Stewardship, and Abundance: A Transformational Guide to Church Finances.”
All clergy and laity are welcome to attend the webinar at no cost. Please note the conversation on staffing will not be recorded. You must attend the live webinar.
Register today to receive the Zoom link for the webinar. Kansas clergy and laity click here to register. Nebraska clergy and laity click here to register.
The webinar is co-hosted by the Kansas Methodist Foundation and the Nebraska United Methodist Foundation. For questions, please contact the Kansas Methodist Foundation at info@KansasMethodistFoundation.org or the Nebraska United Methodist Foundation at info@numf.org.
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Resources
‘Psalms for Black Lives,’ conceived
after high-profile killings, released
A book conceived after the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor offers relevant Psalms, discussion questions and a guide for community and congregational interaction around issues of justice. “Psalms for Black Lives: Reflections for the Work of Liberation” was written by the Revs. Gabby Cudjoe-Wilkes and Andrew Wilkes. The contents of the book began as devotionals for a churchwide fasting experience led by the Wilkes during the summer of 2020.
Read more here.
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Across the Connection
‘Lot of grief work’ to be done after
4 killed in northeast Nebraska town
Laurel, a town of 1,000 in northeast Nebraska, was stunned last week by the murders of four people, not far from the town’s United Methodist Church.
“There certainly needs to be a lot of grief work done,” the Rev. Patrick Broz told KETV, Omaha.
See video and read more here.
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Emporia church offers
‘Garden of Grace’
Emporia Grace UMC’s La Bonita Garden of Grace is the only community garden in Emporia. It was established seven years ago under the direction of longtime member Lola Collinge. A grant provided initial funding, and church members provided the sweat equity as well as contributions of both materials and money.
The brightly painted garden totem that commemorated the garden blessing service still stands amid the bountiful raised beds today.
Extra produce is shared to the Little Free Pantry on the church grounds. Individuals who cannot garden donate money to defray rental costs for others and to buy plants, seeds and supplies.
Read more from the Emporia Gazette.
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In other news
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Newsletters
- Mission Link with Dr. David Upp, August 2022
- Religion and Race, August 2022
- Ministry Matters, August 10, 2022
- Leading Ideas, August 10, 2022
- Discipleship Ministries: RELCC Grant, August 9, 2022
- A Sermon for Every Sunday, August 9, 2022
- Leading Ideas Talks, August 6, 2022
- Kansas Methodist Foundation, August 4, 2022
- Church and Society, August 4, 2022
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Classifieds
Classifieds are posted for 30 days unless otherwise requested.?Please allow three business days for your classified to appear on the website. Email jmcfarland@greatplainsumc.org to update or renew your classified. Submit your classified here.
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